Coprosma petriei
| Coprosma petriei | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 0.3' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Coprosma petriei
Propagation: Seed - probably best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse or cold frame[K]. Sow stored seed in spring in a cold frame[1]. Germination can be slow, often taking more than 12 months even when fresh seed is used[K]. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots. Grow on the plants for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer. Give the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors[K].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame.
Cultivation: Requires a moist, very well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun or light shade[1]. Succeeds in most soils, so long as they are well-drained[2]. This plant has survived very dry conditions with us and appears to be very drought tolerant[K].
One of the hardiest members of this genus, it succeeds outdoors in the rock garden in many parts of the country[3].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1][2], though it does not seem to cross with C. pumila, C. atropurpurea or any red-fruited species[2]. There are several named forms selected for their ornamental value[2].
Plants are normally dioecious, though in some species the plants produce a few flowers of the opposite sex before the main flowering and a few hermaphrodite flowers are sometimes produced[2]. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Lowland to higher montane grassland, stream margins, rocky places and dry river beds on North and South Islands[4].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet, but without much flavour[2]. The fruits vary in colour from white to blue or sea-green[2]. The fruit is seldom borne in Britain[5]. The fruit is about 12mm wide[1].
The roasted seed is an excellent coffee substitute[6].
Usage: A yellow dye is obtained from the wood, it does not require a mordant[6].
A dense carpeting plant, it can be planted about 25cm apart to form a ground cover[5]. The cultivar 'Violet Drops' is much more vigorous than the type, forming compact mats up to 2 metres across and making a very good ground cover[2].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Late Summer
Flower Type: Dioecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Knees, Sabina. The New Plantsman Volume 2. Royal Horticultural Society, 1995.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brooker, Stanley. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press, 1991.